Visual display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A visual display apparatus providing a readily changeable message. The apparatus includes a base, a first member fixedly supported on the base, a second member supported on the base for translational movement relative to the first member, and a mechanism for providing such translational movement, the members having thereon various colored stripes and transparent spaces so that in a first relative position no message is clearly displayed, but in a second relative position the desired message is visible. Each member is removably secured to the base by means of a slot and bar arrangement. In one embodiment, a motor and eccentrically rotatable disc provide movement to the second member relative to the first member. In a second embodiment, the movement is provided by means of a relay and switch, and in a third embodiment the movement is provided by an eccentrically mounted disc actuated by turning a key. The required movement is very small so that the sign can be effectively turned &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;ON&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;OFF&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; quickly and easily. The message content can be easily changed by removing and replacing at least one of the first and second members.

United States Patent [1 1 Ludwig 1 VISUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS Vernon A.Ludwig, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada [73] Assignee: Valmat Signs & SignalsLtd.,

Edmonton. Alberta, Canada [22] Filed: Sept. 26, 1973 2| Appl.No.:400,84l

[75 I Inventor:

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Michell Assistant ExuminerJohn F. PitrelliAttorney. Agent, or Firm-Roylance. Abrams, Berdo & Kaul [451 May 20,1975 [57] ABSTRACT A visual display apparatus providing a readilychangeable message. The apparatus includes a base, a first memberfixedly supported on the base, a second member supported on the base fortranslational movement relative to the first member, and a mechanism forproviding such translational movement, the members having thereonvarious colored stripes and transparent spaces so that in a firstrelative position no message is clearly displayed, but in a secondrelative position the desired message is visible. Each member isremovably secured to the base by means of a slot and bar arrangement. Inone embodiment, a motor and eccentrically rotatable disc providemovement to the second member relative to the first member. In a secondembodiment, the movement is provided by means of a relay and switch, andin a third embodiment the movement is provided by an eccentricallymounted disc actuated by turning a key. The required movement is verysmall so that the sign can be effectively turned ON" and OFF" quicklyand easily. The message content can be easily changed by removing andreplacing at least one of the first and second members.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Shin 1 S? FIG. 1

FIG. 2

s immin SHEET 30? 3 wwmw 1 VISUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS This inventionrelates to visual display apparatus, and more particularly to a displayapparatus wherein the content of the message to be displayed is readilychanged.

Although there are many prior art devices which are directed towardsproviding an animated or changeable visual display apparatus for use inadvertising or as signs for any other purpose, many of these prior artdevices have been very complicated in their construction. This resultsin an expensive apparatus and one that is difficult to maintain andrepair. Additionally. many of these prior art devices have beenrestricted to only one message and have, therefore, limited versatility.

To the contrary, the present invention provides a dis play apparatuswhich is simple, efficient, and inexpensive to produce, and which iseasily maintained. Moreover, since the design information to bedisplayed is contained on flat members which have no hardware attachedto them, flat members with new design information thereon may be easilyshipped to existing installations of the apparatus, whereby the newmembers containing the new design information may be exchanged for oldmembers containing obsolete or unwanted design information thereon.

It is, therefore, a specific object of the present inven tion to providea cheap, efficient, attractive and easily maintained visual displayapparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a visualdisplay apparatus which can display a message, and wherein the messagecontent can readily be changed and therefore the apparatus can display avariety of messages as desired or required.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a visual displayapparatus wherein the message displayed thereon is readily changeablewithout the necessity of a high degree of skill or elaborate tools.

These foregoing objects are attained by providing an apparatus whichincludes a base; a first member having stripes thereon, the stripesbeing alternately of a design color and a background color; a secondmember having thereon spaced stripes of the background color andtransparent spaces between the spaced background stripes, the secondmember further bearing design information comprising a plurality ofspaced design colored stripes located in some of the transparent spaces,and a plurality of spaced transparent portions located in some of saidbackground stripes; means, coupled to the base, for supporting the firstand second members adjacent each other for relative movement; and meansfor moving the members relative to each other between a first positionwherein the design colored stripes of the first member are aligned withthe design colored stripes on the second member and a second positionwherein the design colored stripes of the first member are between thedesign colored opaque stripes of the second member, whereby, in thefirst position, the design is visible and in the second it is not.

Other objects, advantages and salient features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description which,taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferredembodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings which form a this original disclosure:

part of FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus forming thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 withthe second member and other parts removed therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the second member;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but having bothmembers supported on the apparatus in a position wherein the message isundiscernible;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 6 but showing thedesired message clearly in view;

FIG. 8 is a partial front elevation view of the mechanism of a secondembodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a partial sideelevational view of the mechanism of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings in further detail, the apparatus shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 is generally designated l0 and includes a base 12, amovable message assembly l4 and a static message assembly 16.

The movable message assembly 14 includes a first member 18, a secondmember 20 and a support assembly 22 for supporting the first and secondmembers adjacent each other on the base 12 and for moving these membersrelative to each other.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 12 is comprised of arectangular, planar plate 24 rigidly connected on its lower rear surfaceto a hollow block 26. Preferably, the block 26 is connected to the plate24 at a position above the bottom edge of the plate. Thus, when theblock and plate are supported on a generally flat surface, indicated by27, the plate 24 is not perpendicular to the flat surface but has anangle between its rear surface and the surface 27 of less than Mountedto the front surface and parallel to the bottom edge of the plate 24 isa first elongated bar 28. This bar is rigidly secured to the plateapproximately in the middle thereof by means of screws 30 passingthrough the bar and secured in the plate. Mounted to the plate 24 asmall distance above the center of the first bar 28 and along thevertical centerline of the plate is a pin 32 which extendsperpendicularly from the plate a distance substantially equal to thewidth of the bar 28 as seen in FIG. 4.

Mounted below the first bar for translational movement across thesurface of the plate 24 is a second elongated bar 24 having a thicknessequal to about twice the thickness of the first bar 28. This bar 34 hasdepending therefrom rectangular extensions 36 and 38, one at each endwith a distance, designated X, therebetween. Each of these extensionshas a slot 40 defined therein along the connection of the extension withthe second bar. Received in each of these slots is a mounting screw 42which is received in a suitable threaded bore in the plate 24 and whichhas an enlarged washer 44 at its distal end. As seen in FIG. 4, thewasher 44 lies adjacent to the outside surfaces of the extensions andthe bar 34. The thickness of the slots 40 in the vertical direction isslightly greater than the diameter of the mounting screws so that thebar 34 can be moved relative to the mounting screws.

Mounted below the second bar 34 and between the two facing ends ofextensions 36 and 38 is a disc or camming member 46. This disc isrotatably and eccentrically mounted at a point spaced from the center ofthe disc by means ofa shaft 48. This shaft is fixed to the disc andpassed through a suitably provided bore in the plate 24 and is connectedto a motor 50 supported in the block 26. The longer distance between thecenter of the disc's rotational axis along a diameter to the peripheryof the disc is designated Y, The motor 50 is an electrical motor and hasa connection by line 51 to a suitable power source (not shown).Preferably, the rotational speed of the motor is 36 rpm, however, anydesired speed may be used. The shaft 48 is preferably mounted along thevertical centerline of the plate 24.

The distance X between the two facing ends of the extensions 36 and 38is less than twice distance Y so that on rotation of the disc the bar 34connected to the extensions has provided thereto translational movementto the right and to the left as shown in FIG. 3. In this regard, thelongitudinal length of the slots 40 need be only long enough to providefor such longitudinal movement. Additionally, the diameter D of the discis chosen so that on rotation thereof the extensions 36 and 38 will bealternately moved a specified distance Z. This specified distance iscoordinated with the distance the two members must be moved relative toeach other to change from a first position to a second position. Thus,the specified distance Z is equal to 2 times Y minus X.

Rigidly mounted perpendicularly to the top of the center of the secondbar 34 is an arm 52 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the second member is shown in an elevationalview. Member 20 is a thin, rectangular plate having a slot 58 extendingupwardly and inwardly from the midpoint of its bottom edge. Preferably,the depth of this slot is equal to the distance between the top of thearm 52 and the top of the second bar 34. The thickness of the secondmember is prefera bly equal to one-half the thickness of the second bar,and it is formed from transparent material such as clear plastic orglass and has painted or otherwise affixed to its back surface a border60 of a background color and a series of spaced background coloredstripes 62 lo cated within the border 60. The spaces defined betweenthese background stripes are transparent spaces 64. As seen in FIG. 5,certain of the transparent spaces 64 have contained therein stripes 66of a design color. Additionally, located in some of the backgroundstripes 62 are transparent portions 68. These last mentioned stripes andportions form the design information. Although the two words ASK FOR areshown in FIG. 5, this is only by way of example and any word or seriesof words having any desired juxtaposition can be used. The backgroundcolor can be any color as desired as long as it contrasts with thedesign color; however, by way of example, as shown in the attacheddrawings, the background color is white and the design color is blue. Asused herein, stripes are defined to include lines both straight andcurved as long as adjacent edges are parallel. The distance betweenedges of adjacent stripes of the same color is the specified distance Z.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first member 18 is a thin, rectangular platehaving affixed on the front surface thereof a series of parallel stripeswhich alternate between background colored stripes 62 and design coloredstripes 66. The distance between stripes of the same color is thespecified distance Z. In the center of the bottom edge of the firstmember 18 is a slot 70 for the reception of the pin 32. The height ofthis slot should preferably be equal to the distance between the top ofthe pin 32 and the top of the first bar 28. Preferably, the first memberhas a thickness equal to the thickness of the first bar.

In operation of the apparatus, the first member 18 is placed on top ofthe top surface of the bar 28 so that the pin 32 is received in the slot70 as shown in FIG. 3 and the second member 20 is placed on top of thesecond bar 34 so that the arm 52 is received in the slot 58. This isshown in FIG. 6 wherein the design colored stripes of the first memberare aligned with the design colored stripes on the second member. Inthis first position, no message is clearly displayed by the combinationof the first and second member. However, on actuation of the motor 50,the disc 46 rotates from the position shown in FIG. 6 to that shown inFIG. 7. Because the distance X between the facing sides of the twoextensions 36 and 38 which surround the disc on two sides is less thanthe 2 times distance Y by a specified distance Z, the rotation of thedisc causes a translational movement of the second bar from the right tothe left the specified distance Z as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7. Becausethe second member is fixedly connected to the second bar by means ofslot 58 and arm 52, the movement of the bar to the left causes thesecond member to move to the left the specified distance so that thedesign colored stripes of the first member are interlaced between thedesign colored stripes of the second member. In this second position,the message formed by the first and second members is clearlydiscernible. If the motor 50 is continuously connected to a powersource, the disc 46 continues to rotate and causes an alternationbetween the first and second positions described above. Therefore, themessage is alternately discernible and undiscernible. When the messageis undiscernible. merely a series of stripes are visible.

As shown in the drawings, the first and second members, when in thesecond position, display the two words ASK FOR. However, it is apparentthat any word or combination of words may be provided by these members.As shown in FIG. I in conjunction with these two words ASK FOR, thestatic message assembly 16 may be connected to the support plate 24 bymeans of screws 72 as shown in FIG. 2 so that an advertisers product orproduct name may be shown on the static assembly with the words ASK FORbeing alternately visible about it. In an alternative form, the messageon the static assembly may be eliminated so that the full message isprovided only by the animated message assembly 14. In this instance, thestatic assembly acts as a cover for the lower part of plate 24 toprotect and cover the mechanism used to provide relative motion betweenthe two members.

Moreover, the message alternately displayed by the relative movement ofthese two members need not be for a product or for advertising but couldprovide any message as desired. Thus, this apparatus might be used as aroad sign to indicate a hazard further along the road such as ice, fogor snow.

It will be noted that the message content displayed by the apparatus isquite readily changed by merely changing the second member 20. As longas the second member has the proper stripes and spaces and designinformation which is coordinated with the stripes on the first member,the mere substitution of another second member changes the message to bedisplayed. Thus, to change the message the second member is removed fromits position on the bar 34 and another put in its place.

In a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, it iscontemplated that a continuously repetitive movement from the first tothe second position of the first and second members might not benecessary nor desirable. Therefore, there is provided a mechanism forcontrolling the relative movement of the first and second members suchthat the closing of a switch moves the members from the first positionto the second position, as described above, and the opening of theswitch allows the members to return to the first position.

More specifically as shown in FIG. 8, the basic apparatus is the same asdescribed above with the exception that the disc 46 is removed andreplaced by a relay 74, a spring 76, a switch 78 and a lever arm 80. Thecenter of the lever arm 80 is pivotally mounted to the plate 24 on a rod82 and is pivotally connected at one end by means of a rod 84 to thesecond bar 34. The other end of the lever arm 80 is connected to one endof a spring 76 which is rigidly connected by any suitable means to thefront of the plate 24. A relay 74 is suitably attached to the front ofthe plate 24 and has an extension 86 connected to the end of the leverarm 80 such that, upon energization of the relay 74, the lever arm ispivoted in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8 so as tomove the second bar 34 to the left. Thus, this causes the relativemovement between the first and second members. The relay 74 is connectedvia a suitable conductor to a switch 78 which is in turn connected to apower source 88 which is in its turn connected back to the relay 74.

In this manner, the first and second members may be manipulated from thefirst position to the second position as desired by closing the switch,and may be kept in that position as long as desired. On opening of theswitch 78, the spring 76 pulls the lever arm 80 back to its initialposition, thereby moving the first and second members from the secondposition to the first position where no message is displayed.

A third embodiment is contemplated which will allow manual minipulationof the first and second members from their first position to theirsecond position by means of the turning of a key 90 which is connectableto a disc 46 as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, a lock 92 is fixedlymounted through a front plate 94 suitably secured to the front of theapparatus 10. The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 would be the same except forthe addition of an extension 96 rigidly connected to the front of thedisc 46 at its rotational axis. This extension 96 has a slot 98 in itsoutermost surface for the reception of the end of the key 90 whichpasses through the lock 92.

The operation of this third embodiment is similar to those describedabove insofar as the first and second members are to be manipulated froma first position where no message is shown to a second position wherethe message is displayed. The movement of the first and second membersfrom the first position to the second position is accomplished byplacing the key 90 into the lock 92 so that the end of the key fills theslot 98 in the extension 96. The rotation of the key causes aconcomitant rotation of the disc 46 and movement of the second bar,thereby causing relative movement between the first and second members.

The apparatus of the third embodiment can advantageously be used assigns on doors indicating whether or not entrance is allowable or signson cabinets or on indoor or outdoor walls.

While three advantageous embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A visual display apparatus comprising:

a substantially planar, upstanding base;

a first member having stripes thereon, said stripes being alternately ofa design color and a background color;

a second member having thereon spaced stripes of the background colorand transparent spaces between said spaced background stripes;

said second member further having thereon design information comprisinga plurality of spaced design colored stripes located in some of saidtransparent spaces, and

a plurality of spaced transparent portions located in some of saidbackground stripes;

means, coupled to said base, for supporting said first and secondmembers at a lower portion of said base and adjacent each other inoverlying, upstanding arrangement for relative movement; and

means for moving said members relative to each other between a firstposition wherein the design colored stripes of the first member arealigned with the design colored stripes on the second member and asecond position wherein the design colored stripes of the first memberare between the design colored stripes of the second member so that inthe first position no message is displayed but in the second position amessage is clearly displayed,

said means for supporting said first and second mem bers including afirst bar rigidly connected in substantially horizontal position to saidbase and upon which the bottom edge of said first member rests,

a second bar connected in substantially horizontal position to said basefor translational movement and upon which the bottom edge of said secondmember rests, the lower of said bars proiecting forwardly of said base adistance greater than the upper one of said bars,

a pin extending outwardly from said base at a position above said firstbar, said first member having a slot extending inward from the bottomedge thereof for the reception of said pin, and

an arm rigidly connected to said second bar and extending upwardlytherefrom, said second member having a slot extending inward from thebottom edge thereof for the reception of said arm.

2. A visual display apparatus according to claim I, wherein said meansfor moving includes a camming member mounted for rotation on said base,said camming member having a distance Y between the center of itsrotation to the outer periphery of said camming member; and

tance X.

4. A visual display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said meansfor moving includes a lever pivotally mounted to said base at the centerthereof, said lever being pivotally mounted to said means for supportingat one end and coupled to a relay at its other end.

i F i i

1. A visual display apparatus comprising: a substantially planar,upstanding base; a first member having stripes thereon, said stripesbeing alternately of a design color and a background color; a secondmember having thereon spaced stripes of the background color andtransparent spaces between said spaced background stripes; said secondMember further having thereon design information comprising a pluralityof spaced design colored stripes located in some of said transparentspaces, and a plurality of spaced transparent portions located in someof said background stripes; means, coupled to said base, for supportingsaid first and second members at a lower portion of said base andadjacent each other in overlying, upstanding arrangement for relativemovement; and means for moving said members relative to each otherbetween a first position wherein the design colored stripes of the firstmember are aligned with the design colored stripes on the second memberand a second position wherein the design colored stripes of the firstmember are between the design colored stripes of the second member sothat in the first position no message is displayed but in the secondposition a message is clearly displayed, said means for supporting saidfirst and second members including a first bar rigidly connected insubstantially horizontal position to said base and upon which the bottomedge of said first member rests, a second bar connected in substantiallyhorizontal position to said base for translational movement and uponwhich the bottom edge of said second member rests, the lower of saidbars projecting forwardly of said base a distance greater than the upperone of said bars, a pin extending outwardly from said base at a positionabove said first bar, said first member having a slot extending inwardfrom the bottom edge thereof for the reception of said pin, and an armrigidly connected to said second bar and extending upwardly therefrom,said second member having a slot extending inward from the bottom edgethereof for the reception of said arm.
 2. A visual display apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said means for moving includes a cammingmember mounted for rotation on said base, said camming member having adistance Y between the center of its rotation to the outer periphery ofsaid camming member; and two extensions coupled to said means forsupporting in a position such that one is on each side of said cammingmember, adjacent sides of said extensions being spaced by a distance Xwhich is less than twice distance Y.
 3. A visual display apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the distance between said first and secondpositions is equal to twice distance Y minus distance X.
 4. A visualdisplay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for movingincludes a lever pivotally mounted to said base at the center thereof,said lever being pivotally mounted to said means for supporting at oneend and coupled to a relay at its other end.